Veronica Paulo Morgan and daughter enjoying a traditional Madeiran drink. Photo courtesy of San Pedro Association 

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The annual San Pedro Festa (Portuguese Picnic) will be celebrating its annual fundraiser Saturday, June 27 through Sunday, June 28 at San Pedro Park in West Sacramento, formerly known as Bryte. Guests are invited to enjoy a celebration of local history and learn about the Portuguese/Madeiran immigrants who helped settle the area as the community marks its 104th year.

Weekend traditions include festive foods such as Carne Espetada (marinated beef barbecued on a spit), linguica sandwiches, Portuguese sweet bread, Portuguese beans and Poncha, a popular Madeira Island cocktail. Saturday evening entertainment will feature live music by Clean Slate, known throughout the Sacramento area as the ultimate show band. On Sunday, a colorful procession will make its way from Holy Spirit Church to San Pedro Park, continuing a tradition that has been celebrated for generations.

In addition to delicious food and games for the kids, Sunday’s festivities will include both a silent auction and a traditional live auction, which always draws an energetic crowd.

The Festa Queens will also be honored, recognizing the longstanding volunteerism and dedication of their families. Each of this year’s Queens come from a long line of descendants who have been an important part of the creation, history, growth and preservation of San Pedro Park.

Junior Queen Bailey Freitas is the daughter of Brittany Griswold and Albino (Nino) Freitas III, and granddaughter of Nanaette Miller. Her great-grandparents are Nylene and Albino Freitas, Jr. Bailey is also a descendant of Albino Freitas Sr., one of the original founding members of the association.

Senior Queen Kelsi Jolene Benton is a descendant of Tony Pinto, Sr., another founding member was instrumental in constructing many of the buildings that still stand at San Pedro Park. She is the daughter of Bryan Benton and Cheyenne Azevedo, granddaughter of Donna and Larry Benton, and great-granddaughter of Alyce and Camilo Cervantes.

San Pedro Association will also honor 2026 Festa Grand Marshal Deolinda Paulo. Born in Madeira, Portugal, she married Joe Paulo in Prazeres, Madeira, before immigrating to the United States at the age of 19. She has lived in the West Sacramento/Bryte community for more than 70 years and has been an active participant in San Pedro events and fundraisers since arriving from Madeira.

San Pedro Park will open at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 27 and remain open until 10 p.m. Music and dancing by Clean Slate is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m.

The park will open at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 38 and will remain open until 5 p.m. Traditional mass is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, 1321 Anna Street, West Sacramento. Procession from the church starting at 10 a.m. will take participants through the streets of Bryte to San Pedro Park, 708 N. Hobson Ave., West Sacramento.

For more information, visit www.sanpedroassociation.com.